(Crossly posted at My Left Wing- another fabulous blog)
I’ve been with my husband for 14 years, and since we’re still snuggly at night I’d like to think we have some idea of how good relationships work. For us it has been
respect
division of labor
shared values
shared goals
family and future
In this morning’s shower I was fuming over the DLC and Hillary when the question came to me. If my relationship with the Democratic Party were a marriage, would I leave?
Right off the bat I’d have to admit it has all the marks of an abusive relationship.
My progressive thoughts are ridiculed.
My reproductive rights are in peril- and my spouse is complicit. He keeps inviting more and more anti-woman friends over to the house and has a livid fit when I don’t want to entertain them.
My GOTV work is devalued and expected much in the way a slob yells at his wife to bring another beer.
I’m told to shut up and work, because things will be better if I do- once his agenda has been met. My ideals are pie in the sky anyways.
My values of peace and prosperity are ignored for the crack cocaine of corporate money and the military. Somehow he just has to keep proving he’s macho.
He keeps telling me this is the best there is. Everyone else out there is worse than he is, so I’d better stay and do as he says. ABB.
So if this were a real marriage, I’d have been out the door long ago. But what about the kids? Don’t I have a moral obligation to work on the relationship for their sake? The environment, the Great Society, the ill, young and poor do need me- but my spouse isn’t helping them anyways. He just focuses on the Joneses down the block. They can’t come up with anything without him trying to do one better. He thinks that makes them respect him. Sad, really.